Ireland
Irish wary of Top 14 spending power
ESPN Staff
July 19, 2014
Ireland's impressive Six Nations helped their financial results © PA Photos
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The Irish Rugby Football Union experienced a better financial year than predicted but remain wary of the increased spending in the Top 14.

At the IRFU's AGM on Friday evening, the governing body announced a €7.3m surplus and an overall deficit of €1m, a figure down from last year's of €4.5m. The promising financial year came largely as a result of Ireland's Six Nations triumph and having three of their four provinces qualifying for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup.

Despite the promising financial results, the IRFU is increasingly wary of the increased spending from the clubs in the Top 14. And according to the Irish Times, the Union is looking into attracting private investors to help keep the coffers bumped up.

"The sort of money that is available in France, of course we've got to be concerned," IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said. "We've done pretty well with limited financial resources and limited playing resources over the years.

"We have to look at our business model, number one and maybe have to look at bringing in private money. Some of the provinces have been quite successful at generating private money."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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